Member Spotlight - Amy Franco

May 13, 2024

This week's member spotlight is on Amy Franco. Amy is the Executive Director of the Hillside Public Library. She currently serves on the ILA Awards Committee and has also served on the ILA Conference Program Committee and the Marketing Forum. 

We asked Amy to answer a few professional and amusing questions. Continue reading to find out more about Amy.

A little background on Amy:

Amy Franco is a sought-after speaker and trainer helping librarians and library workers reach their full potential. With more than 20 years of experience in the retail, customer service, and library industries, Amy’s programs are filled with proven techniques that can be applied immediately.

She holds degrees from the College of DuPage, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is the Executive Director of the Hillside Public Library in suburban Chicago, where she develops and manages a $1.7 million budget and leads 18 employees in all aspects of community engagement and public library service.

Amy is passionate about designing and coordinating training for public library workers, strategic planning, and community engagement efforts; skills that have solidified her reputation as a leader in creative programming and continuing education for library workers. 

How did you get your start in libraries?

I finished college during the height of the Great Recession, when I worked part-time at a mall and part-time at a bank, and no one else seemed to be hiring. A trusted professor urged me to look into library school, which was a great suggestion! I got my first job in public libraries in 2012; the rest is history.

Best advice you've received since starting your career in libraries?

A mentor and friend once told me to communicate often and in multiple ways. When I started heeding this advice, my career began to grow. Libraries often lure introverts into the field, but we must remember that working with the public requires you to be friendly and outgoing. Learning to communicate well has helped me grow as a leader and opened many community partnership opportunities for my library.

Any advice to newcomers working in libraries? 

Get involved. Join a committee, attend networking meetings, ask questions, and be curious! Your network is everything, and getting to know other library workers will make your job easier and help you progress in your career. 

When and why did you become a member of ILA?

I went to library school out of state, so I joined ILA when I landed my first job in Illinois. I've been a member ever since.

How has being a member of ILA helped you professionally? 

ILA has opened up so many opportunities for me. When I joined my first committee, I started to build my network and communicate with professionals outside of my bubble. I have been involved in every ILA conference either as a presenter or committee member since 2015, which has allowed me to develop and share my skills. I have also met some of my best friends and trusted colleagues through ILA events, including Directors University.

What is your proudest professional achievement to date?

I am proud to be a librarian anytime I can solve a problem, help a colleague or patron, or contribute to something meaningful. My staff have been working hard to implement a new strategic plan and revised mission and vision statements. I am proud of their efforts to meaningfully engage our post-pandemic community.

Hardcover, paperback, e-reader, audiobook, or all?

eReader or audiobook.  I prefer to travel light!

Favorite authors?

I like just about anyone who can make me laugh. Lucy Sykes, Sophie Kinsella, Graeme Simsion, Kevin Kwan, Curtis Sittenfeld, and Jenny Lawson are all must-read authors for me.

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what five books would you bring with you to pass the time until being rescued?

  • Bush Craft 101: A field guide to the art of wilderness survival by Dave Canterbury
  • Foraging for Edible Wild Plants and Mushrooms: The ultimate beginner's survival manual by Anthony Barrett
  • Finding Your Way Without Map or Compass by Harold Gatty
  • Mother Nature is (not) Trying to Kill You: A Wildlife Guide by Rob Nelson
  • Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Cat or Dog?

I love cats who behave like dogs! I have two rescue kitties: Nova, who will eat just about anything, and Walnut, who plays fetch in his free time.

Favorite film, podcast, or television show? 

The West Wing

One person you would like to meet, dead or alive why?

Dolly Parton embodies so many values I think we should all aspire to, including empowering women to grow creatively and in business. She advocates for early literacy initiatives, her music is awesome, and she's a generous philanthropist and an icon of kindness and positivity.

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